UFL

Barely making it to the knockout stages after finishing third in Group C competition, the defending cup champions put on a dazzling show of force to send the second-seed Army FC packing, 3-nil, from the tournament Saturday at the University of Makati.

Army finished second in the rankings with an unblemished slate, one of two clubs that kept clean sheets in three matches. It had thoroughly destroyed the competition en route to the Round of 16.

It took Global only 20 minutes to shatter the illusion of invincibility.

Showing the positive effects of a three-day training camp in Laguna in the week off between rounds, Global’s superior pace was something the Army men couldn’t deal with from kick off.

As if Izzo El-Habbib wasn’t already a handful, Graeme McKinnon installed Janrick Soriano alongside him in a two-pronged attack to replace Misagh Bahadoran who was competing for the country in the futsal competition in the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia. El-Habbib’s feared scoring touch from around the box often drew the defenders’ attention and Soriano’s speed and ability to get his shot off complicated matters. Then there was Jeffrey Christiaens on the left and William Guerridon on the right who both provided support, not to mention the killer cross.

But the match’s first goal came from a long ball following a Global counter. As midfielder Val Kama brought up the ball, El-Habbib raised his hands to mark his position with only Army defender John Cain on him. It was as if Kama painted the target with a laser – he found El-Habbib on the money and the Sudanese striker of Global fired away on one superb touch that blew past keeper Ed Sacapaño. Global 1, Army nil.

Army, whose vaunted attack saw it net 24 goals in three group matches, was stymied. Befuddled. Its midfield totally taken out of the game. Global’s midfield line of Christiaens, Yu Hoshide, Kama, and Guerridon denied the spaces for Army to work its short passing game. So suffocating was Global’s defense that Army had only one shot on goal and it was more of a whimper of a shot.

Global control of the midfield was so complete that Army head coach Major Patricio Bumidang Jr. pulled Roel Gener from the left midfield position to close down the vulnerable left back slot where Cain was beaten time and again.

However, it wasn’t simply Global’s overlapping players that was wreaking havoc. The cup champions repeatedly forced Army to cough up the ball.

In the 53rd minute, Christiaens, who was making his local debut, beat the slow-footed Cain all the way to the box. With Cain flailing away, Christiaens unleashed a powerful shot that Sacapaño was able to parry, but Soriano quickly raced in to smash home the rebound for a 2-nil score.

Even when El-Habbib went out in favor of Angel Guirado, the pace did not slacken one bit. Showing his fantastic dribbling skills and deft touch, Guirado found his teammates for chances or strikes of his own.

Global put the match away for good when Soriano’s speed found him on a clear path toward the Army goal. With no defender within the vicinity to impede Soriano, Sacapaño rushed out. But Soriano expected that and chipped the ball over the Army keeper and into the back of the net for his second goal of the match and a 3-nil Global lead.

The sending off of Ronel Gener for a poor challenge on Kama, who got struck in the chest by the Army man’s boot, compounded army’s woes. The defending champions had 11 shots on goal with three on target while Army only had four, none of which threatened Global’s youthful keeper Paolo Pascual.

“What we worked on during our training camp was our fitness and passing,” said McKinnon after the match. “You saw the effects tonight. We were fresh and full of pace while Army seemed to tire out.”

The Australian coach also paid tribute to his workhorses on the wings in Christiaens and Guerridon. “They were beautiful to watch flying up and down the wings. And Jeff has not played with this team before! It shows his quality.”

Christiaens downplayed his contributions. “Yes, it was good but not good enough. This is the first time I am playing with my teammates. But it was a very good result.”

And the result? Global just took another step closer to defending it championship as they booked a ticket to the quarterfinals where they will play the winner of Tuesday’s match between Pachanga and Navy.

Pachanga nips Cebu Queen City United, 4-0 last Saturday at the University of Makati pitch in the on going United Football League Cup.

With the win, Pachanga grab the top spot in their Group (group c) and will be heading into the last 16.

Joven Bedic led the attack for the Pachanga and three other players scored for Pachanga.

Bedic,struck a goal in the 54th minute of the match. Cebu Queen City United goalie, Mark Sorongon was not able to run after the volley shot of Bedic.

Shilmar Felongco of Pachanga got injured, Ronnel Lagrimas substituted him and made his presence felt by scoring a goal in the 13th minute mark of the match. The play was setup by teammate, Alu Kigbu which Lagrimas struk into the bottom corner.

Gino Palomo made the Cebu Queen City United paid for their lapses as he scored a goal in the 42nd minute.

Palomo also did well to evade Cebu’s defense and eventually finding teammate Alu Kigbu to strike for another goal.

Loyola Meralco Sparks FC beats sister team Agila FC in their match last October 27, held at the University of Makati Oval.

Phil Young Husband did another hat trick in the match and lead the way for the Sparks FC scoring three goals.

His First goal came from a pass by his brother, James Younghusband in the 27th minute of the game. By the 66th minute of the game, Phil was able to slice through the Agila’s defender and scored his second goal.

His third goal came from a free kick in the 78th minute of the game. Teammate, Davide Cortina added two goals in the 40th minute and his second goal came from a pass by Phil in 70th minute of the game.

Not giving up, Louie Potenciano of Agila FC scored a goal in the 60th minute of the game and was hoping to ride the momentum on their side.

It was a very intense and physical match. Six yellow cards and two red cards were issued. James Younghusband and Eliezer Fabraoda got issued for a yellow card in the 26th minute of the game.

After few more minutes Alexandro Elnar was tag for a yellow card in the 30th minute. Fabraoda got another yellow card in the 36th minute, which resulted to a red card for him and was thrown out of the match. Cortina had his shared with the yellow card in the 59th minute of the match.

Frank Mabasa of Agila was issued by yellow card too in the 37th minute of the match, but teammate Zaldy Maranon received a direct red card from using excessive force in kicking from behind in the 77th minute of the match.

It was a must-win for the Agila to force a triple tie on their group (Group B). The loss, bid their fate for advancing to the round of 16.

Ian Araneta lead they way for the Air Force scoring five goals, putting him closer to Phil Younghusbad as the Cup’s top scorer 10 to 14.

The Air force just put up a show during the game, making it a goal festival for them.

Even the early minutes of the match, Reymark Palmes already scored a goal within the first 3 minutes of the game. With a hat trick he added two more goals in the 12th and 14th minute of the game.

But it was Ian Araneta who put on a show, scoring all of his five goals all in the first half. He scored in the 6th, 15th, 28th, 34th and 37th minutes in the game.

Chieffy Caligdong joined in the goal feast for the Air Force and contributing two goals in the match in the 25th and 38th minutes.

Randy Bela-Ong had his share, scoring one goal in the 18th minute.

By halftime, the Philippine Air Force Phoenix FC were already leading 11-0. But goal feast does not in there, by second half the Air force added two more goals courtesy of Rolando Duenas and Timothy Rabena.

Manila All-Japan had only 9 goal opportunities compared to Air force who had 24. Manila All-Japan did not score a goal in the entire game.

Manhur FC beats Garuda FC at the University of Makati Oval , improving their chances to advance in the Round of 16.

With the win, they are now tied with Sunken Garden. Both teams will face each other in their match on October 31.

It was a tight match with no teams scoring in the first 63 minutes.

Garuda’s stirke, Arman break the dry spell and scored a goal giving the Garuda FC a 1-0 lead. However Anthony Emperado of Manhur FC was quick to response and scored his own version of a goal and tied the match with one all.

The hero of the match was Thomas Liao of Manhur FC who broke the deadlock and bringing the lead to Manhur after a successful conversation of a penalty kick.